Bryant University
PAE-T2-2: Employee Training Opportunities

Yes, the University makes cultural competence training and activities available to all employees. Diversity Core Concepts - An On-Line Module This course will present to you a modular program in which one can learn about the importance of diversity at Bryant. It introduces core concepts of diversity and provides a consistent framework and language to engage in diversity dialogues on campus and beyond. This program will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. This program is available for faculty, staff, and students. Diversity Awareness This workshop is designed in support of the strategic objective of "diversity" at Bryant, which is not only to increase access to under-represented or excluded groups, but to develop, in all our students, faculty and staff, a greater sense of diversity as a process of life. This program is the equivalent of one and one-half days (schedule varies). This program is designed for new faculty and staff. Advanced Diversity Education: From Learners to Leaders This advanced level program is comprised of seven 1/2 day modular sessions which can be taken individually or as part of a certification program. Individuals seeking Level I Certification must complete a minimum of four modular sessions including Personal Leadership. Those seeking Level II Certification must complete all seven sessions. The Diversity Core Concepts On-Line Module is a prerequisite for this program. This program is available for faculty, staff and students. Schedule is published on a semester by semester basis. Module 1: International Diversity This session would provide participants with a learning framework for understanding the basis of international cultural norms, and skills for dealing with culture clash on campus. International students and faculty in attendance may be asked to share their experiences of culture shock, of dealing with misconceptions about their countries held by colleagues and other students. Module 2: Religious Diversity This session focuses on understanding how religious diversity differs from other forms of diversity due to the fact that religion deals ultimately with matters of belief and faith. This program will cover trends in religious diversity over the last five years, recognizing differences in non-western religious belief systems, and application of a skill based model to create sustained dialogue about religion. Module 3: Allies for Equity-Sexual Orientation Issues on Campus Bryant undergraduate students are in predictable stages of development. Part of that development sometimes involves exploration of sexual orientation. For some students, living away from campus provides the space and freedom to explore new dimensions of themselves. For other students at Bryant, lack of exposure to “out” Gay men and Lesbians may mean periods of discomfort as they deal, perhaps for the first time, with issues of sexual orientation. This session is designed for participants who identify themselves as allies for equity regarding issues of sexual orientation. Module 4: Gender Equity on a Male Dominated Campus: Men outnumber women at Bryant in the undergraduate student body. In some departments, women faculty are a clear minority. Power positions, including those of department chair, are also male dominated at Bryant. This session is for men and women who wish to understand the pressures that come with male domination and take effective action to create a safer, more respectful and equitable campus for women. Module 5: Dialogue on Race For some Bryant students, Bryant will be the most diverse environment in which they have ever lived. For other Bryant students, the campus will represent the least diverse environment in which they have ever lived. Issues of race at Bryant also exist in the context of urban/suburban differences. Minority faculty at Bryant are often isolated and experience the challenges of being “one of the few”. This session is for men and women who wish to be proactive in opening up dialogue on campus about race. Module 6: Ability, Access and Allies Bryant has made significant headway over the years on creating more access for persons with physical disabilities. Increasingly faculty are involved in supporting students with learning disabilities. But students and alumni who are disabled still report some discomfort in being able to fully discuss their differences and engage fellow students and faculty as advocates. Many people express discomfort in talking about issues of disability. This session is designed to create a greater comfort, and facility in being able to discuss disabilities, and engage effectively as advocates. Module 7: Personal Leadership - Effective Interventions This session is required for graduation from the Advanced Diversity Education – From Learners to Leaders program. Diversity leaders will be looked upon as role models. Therefore, diversity leaders must be able to effectively intervene when observing disrespectful, exclusive or biased behavior. Interventions don’t work when the person making the intervention comes across as “holier than thou”, blaming or getting up on his or her soapbox. This session is a hand-on practice session for creating interventions that work and learning to lead from a place of commitment.